Impossibly good homage
It arrived.
I had some expectations based on reviews BUT I'm still looking for pieces of my jaw from how hard it was dropped to the floor.
I've seen it side by side with the VC (did I save it, of course not 😵) and it is a tad smaller with the overall case shape being similar, although with sharper edges. Obviously the dial is a brushed brass and not the textured enamel one. The sub dial also has its own texture and the overall balance of the watch is surprisingly good.
"Hot take": I like the hands on the Baltany more than the Breguet ones on the VC 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️ AND the applied indices - I'm a sucker for this type of dimensionality to a dial (the seconds sub dial is also well finished).
Also, really like the small seconds hand, blued and counter balanced; the sweep peeerfectly covering the digits - nice attention to details.
I have no idea HOW they got it down to €199... NONE!!! Yes, obviously the manual ST1701 does bring it down, and yes, much of the costs does go into the movement, BUT the ST1701 is a proper workhorse, simple and efficient, easily serviced and so I'm left thinking much of that is from (I know it's bad...) looooow wages for the watchmakers ...
The strap is soft, though generic, but it fits well and I'll probably NOT change it 🤔
Hand filled warranty card and a very nice pouch - to be used for short vacations where I'd probably only take the PRX.
Conclusion:
I am surprised at myself for getting a homage as I know it dilutes the "want" or the determination to get the one it's an homage to BUT my grail is around the €20k mark this one is at...
BUT
Boy, oh boy, does this Baltany feel amazing! 🔥😎
Edit: found the pics of a Baltany side by side with the VC. It's the build with the center seconds, but same dimensions.
Here are the pics
I'm thinking I'd "Photoshop" mine over the silver one and compare 😅
Mechatronics engineer (got into it because of an old table clock my dad gave me which broke during an earthquake in 1990 and I just HAD to make work again). 3 decades later, I fix wristwatches "on the...
Congratulations 🎊🎉
Baltany makes some of the best homage watches on the market in my opinion.
It's a brand that flies under the radar compared to the usual San Martin, Pagani, and Steeldive trendy dive watch homages.
But the watches they offer in this vintage/military revival segment are shockingly good for the price. The 2 models I experienced from the brand (D12 & A11) blew me away with the quality of the case finishing and sharp dial painting for the price point, around $90 each during AlieX sales.
Even the cheap leather strap they came on felt better than straps I bought for triple the price from Barton and StrapsCo, also made in China...
Baltany makes some of the best homage watches on the market in my opinion.
It's a brand that flies under the radar compared to the usual San Martin, Pagani, and Steeldive trendy dive watch homages.
But the watches they offer in this vintage/military revival segment are shockingly good for the price. The 2 models I experienced from the brand (D12 & A11) blew me away with the quality of the case finishing and sharp dial painting for the price point, around $90 each during AlieX sales.
Even the cheap leather strap they came on felt better than straps I bought for triple the price from Barton and StrapsCo, also made in China...
I saw ads for them on IG but it's always been a thing of "that looks just like the khaki field, but ok"
When this one popped it really caught my eye as I (obviously) like this pillow shape. Still looking at it tbh
I've never fancied the original, but when I saw the Baltany in this colour I thought I'd give it a go.
It's gorgeous, looks much better on the wrist.
I'm still not interested in the VC.